September 14, 2018

2018 Fall Home Tour

Hello friends both old and new.  Marty at A Stroll Thru Life has done it again and has a team of 30 bloggers ready to show you their homes decked out for Fall. If you are heading over from Alicia at Thrifty & Chic– Welcome!  Doesn’t Alicia have the most amazing DIY ideas?

If you are new here, I’m Jennifer – a Human Resources consultant by day and a design enthusiast and blogger in the wee hours of the night!  Our family recently purchased our dream home that we rented for 3 years, so are so excited to fix it up and make it our own one room at a time. Bye bye beige walls and hello color!  You will see what I mean when you tour my daughter’s new room!

I don’t normally do too much fall decorating.  Maybe it is because my birthday is in October and growing up I disliked orange and brown, and those were always the featured colors for my special month.  There are also some elements of my tour that are not per se fall, but I am so excited I wanted to show them to you anyway!  First off, we remodeled our kitchen and I am in love.  Second, I made over my daughter’s room.  I hope you enjoy and find inspiration in them even if they are not screaming fall.

So, let’s start the tour.  Starting first with our porch.  I was tickled pink when Trader Joe’s had pumpkins last week.  It is still soo hot here in Northern California, I was not sure if I could track down any real pumpkins.  This is about as fall as I get with our outdoor decor.  My girls are dying to have a graveyard and corpses for Halloween but it is sooo not me.

In the dining room, I went with rustic elements.  Eucalyptus just screams fall to me and I had these fun antlers to play into the rustic/glam vibe.

To the living room I just added some soft florals and added some new pillows.  I was so happy to find these pastel pumpkin pillows at HomeGoods. Orange and brown just do not go with the softer tones in my home.

To me nothing says fall like soup!  Our breakfast nook is where all of our cozy meals take place.  I adore these little lionhead soup bowls I found at Target.  I think they are a Williams-Sonoma knock-off.  I also used our vintage soup tureen to hold our fall-hued flowers.

Now here come the not so fall, but new spaces.  First  up is our kitchen.  We recently did a refresh by redoing the counter tops, backs plash, sink and appliances.

I will have a full post on it soon, but we went with Quartz counter tops that look alot like marble and beveled subway tile.  I am also giddy to report that I now have a deep farmhouse sink.  I was always sooo jealous of all of those Instagram photos of beautiful sinks with flowers haphazardly arranged (aka totally styled) in them.  Bam!  Take that social media.  I am now a flower in the sink kinda gal 🙂

 

Another one of my favorite features is doing one section of the back splash in this herringbone pattern.  Our floors are hardwood in a herringbone pattern, so I didn’t want to go crazy up top, but I didn’t want it to look boring either.  I think this small vignette is a compromise.

A few white pumpkins bring in a touch of fall.

Fall flowers were a bit sparse in our stores, so I went with the bounty of the season to display on our counter tops.

I also made over my daughter’s room and bit the bullet by wallpapering it in a wallpaper I have loved for years.  It is bold and bright and totally me!

So that’s it.  I hope you found some inspiration for fall and for seasons to come. Up next is Kristy at Starfish Cottage.  Her chic coastal style is not to be missed.  You can also find the full line up below.

Monday, Sept. 10th   

 A Stroll Thru Life  | Nesting With Grace  | Pink Peppermint Design  

Southern Hospitality | Decor To Adore | Cuckoo4Design 

Tuesday, Sept. 11

  ZDesign At Home  | Duke ManorFarm  | Setting For Four      

Simple Stylings  | Seeking Lavender Lane | Life On Virginia Street 

                                                                                          Wed. Sept 12

Our FifthHouse | Our Southern Home | Clean & Scentsible 

House By Hoff |  Follow The Yellow Brick Home 

 Remodelando La Casa 

Thurs. Sept 13

Inspiration For Moms | Life Love Larson |  Monica Wants It

Haneens Haven | My Sweet Savannah |  11 Magnolia Lane  

Friday, Sept. 14

Thrifty & Chic | Decorating Delirium  

 Starfish Cottage | Thistlewood Farm 

                                      Hymns & Verses | Far Above Rubies 

Until next time  . . .

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Filed Under: Decorating, Home Decor, Home Tours, Interior Design, Our Home, Seasonal Decorating, Uncategorized //
September 9, 2018

Sneak Peek of Charlotte’s Bedroom Makeover

Hi friends!!  I have an exciting preview to show you of Charlotte’s bedroom makeover.  I posted here about what I had dreamed up.  Only thing holding me up was the wallpaper which was quite expensive, once you included installation.  I can DIY a lot of things, but everything I had read said NOT to DIY wallpaper!

Well guys, I bit the bullet and did it.  Here are some quick preview photos.  I still have a ton of details to put into place like new curtains and curtain hardware, a new area rug and I need to hang the art.  In fact, as I look at these photos, the curtains and curtain rods drive me CRAZY!!  I have brass and acrylic rods on the way that I bought on sale Labor Day weekend at Ballard Designs.

Since the pattern on the wallpaper was pretty busy, I tried to keep the other elements in the room simple.  I got her new crisp, white sheets from California Design Den.  They are a classic percale sheet made with organic cotton.  I have washed them several times and they truly get softer with each wash.

My motto is everything is always better monogrammed, so this euro Matouk pillow case was monogrammed in the same pink hue as the wallpaper.

Here is some of the art I have chosen that still needs to be hung.

I wrote here about making over this vintage cane chair.  I am pretty sure I will never attempt to re-cane anything again!  The end result was beautiful, though.

I found this vintage pagoda lamp on Ebay which pairs perfectly with the wallpaper.

Here is one of the art pieces, which will probably be propped up on the wall for the next year.

So there it is.  It is big and bold and no one will ever want to buy our home should we sell it.  But I don’t care.  I love it and that is what creating a home that is uniquely “you” is all about.  I secretly have to admit that I now want to switch rooms with my 9 year old.  Have you decorated recently with wallpaper?  If so, did you go bold or for a more neutral pattern?

Until next time . . .

 

 

 

California Design Den provided the sheets for my review.  All opinions, as always are my own.

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Filed Under: Decorating, Home Decor, Home Tours, Interior Design, Our Home, The Money Pit, Uncategorized //
September 1, 2018

Mixing High and Low Using Vintage Designer Furniture

One of my favorite decorating tips for decorating on a budget is mixing high and low decor.  Pulling in older, vintage pieces definitely helps give a space a collected look.  Luckily, for  everyday design enthusiasts, there are now abundant sources for sourcing such vintage treasures and one-of-a-kind antiques.  Now everyone has access to pre-owned vintage and designer furniture that is curated.  No more searching high and low through estate sales or on Craigslist for rare finds.

Here are a few items I found when searching for designer items at a fair price.  I have been having a major love affair with burl wood the last few years.  This dresser foots the bill.  The wood has so much depth and character.   Viyet- French Louis Philippe Fall Front Burl Secretary

If you have been reading the blog for a while, you know my deep obsession with all things Chinoserie.  These framed Chinoserie wallpaper panels had me at “hello.”  If you can’t afford custom Chinoserie wallpaper from floor to ceiling, framed panels are the way to go.  It has the same effect without the hit to your budget.  https://www.onekingslane.com/p/4774042-henredon-faux-bamboo-mirrors-pair.do

This antique Oushak rug would be amazing in a feminine space.  This would be beyond chic in a little bagy girl nursery.

One Kings Lane- Antique Turkish Oushak Rug

These Chinese Chippendale mirrors are close to my heart.  I have a set in a different color.  Although seeing them in glossy black is marking me want to switch things up.  These retail for a pretty penny.  I don’t want to brag, but mine came from an estate sale where they just threw them in with a dresser I purchased.

One Kings Lane - Henredon Faux-Bamboo Mirrors

This coffee table makes more than a statement.  You can’t find this in any design/decor catalog.  I am a huge lover of brass and glass.

Everything But the House Figural Brass and Glass Coffee Table

 

Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that bar carts have been hugely popular in the last few years.  Almost any home decor retailer sells them.  So, why not make a statement with yours and go with a vintage faux bamboo bar cart?   I promise your next party will be better for it.

Viyet- Brass Faux Bamboo Service Cart

 

Having easy access to online marketplaces has saved me so much time in my hunt for the perfect pieces for my home.  Do you have any secret sources for vintage or designer furniture.  Please do tell in the comments.  Like I need one more place to shop!

Until next time . . .

 

 

 

**This post was sponsored by Nakturnal.  As always, all opinions are my own.

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Filed Under: Decorating, Interior Design, Online Sources, Uncategorized, Vintage // Tagged With: ,
August 16, 2018

Designer Spotlight: Sarah Bartholomew

Hi friends!  Boy are you in for a treat with this designer spotlight.  I have followed Sarah Bartholomew for years after I saw her home in a Better Homes & Gardens spread.  And then just the other day, I was looking at the Pottery Barn catalog and I saw that Sarah Bartholomew has curated a new collection for PB.

Here are some examples of her work,  It is classic and traditional style with modern twists added in.  For example, below the console, lantern, pottery and chairs are pretty traditional, but the fun and bold batik patter wallpaper makes it all so modern and fresh.

Sarah really has the blue, white and green combo down pat.  The feminine pattern and details on this sofa are perfection!

I love the repeat of the pattern on the headboard, drapes and pillows.

I would do laundry in this room all day!

The wood paneling in this room might feel heavy without all of the crisp blue and green surrounding it.

I would be a guest in this beautiful guest room any time.

Here are a few items I am loving from Sarah’s collection at Pottery Barn.

I am seeing a big trend in wicker and canning lately.  I recently re-canned a chair, so I am feeling quite on trend.

Hope you are having a lovely week!

xoxo,

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Filed Under: Decorating, Designers, Interior Design, New Collections, Uncategorized //
August 1, 2018

Storage Solutions: Skirted Tables

Hi friends!  We are on vacation this week, but I am trying to get in some extra posts on the blog since I have a little extra time to do what I love!

As some of you may know, for my day job, I work as a Human Resources Consultant.  My job is wonderful and flexible, and I get to work from home.  The one problem, however, is that I do not have a home office.  So, all of my files, my printer, etc. are in my bedroom.  NOT the ideal setting for where the majority of relaxation is supposed to take place.

I have done a ton of searching for the perfect small desk that would fit in our bedroom.  The only problem is that the desks that would fit, did not have much storage.  So, I have been exploring the idea of just using a round table with a custom tablecloth similar to those below.

I primarily work at our breakfast nook table, so it would primarily be used  for storage, not for a  work space.  I am thinking I could store my printer and files underneath it??

Or, I could also do a skirted console table like these.  Although I might be pretty hard pressed to fit a printer under a table this size.

Do any of you work from home?  How do you keep that work/home balance?  What are your best storage solutions?

Until next time . . .

 

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Filed Under: Decorating, DIY, Home Decor, Interior Design, Uncategorized // Tagged With:
July 30, 2018

Nursery Crushes

In the world of design, there is nothing more fun or sweet that designing a nursery.  I know that personally for me, it was the most fun and special room I ever got to work on.  Alas, there will be no more babies in our family nor nurseries to design.  That apparently does not stop images of designer nurseries from popping up in my Pinterest feed.  So needless to say that nurseries are on the brain over here.

Here are some of my favorites.  I tend to find that those using wallpaper are the most chic and striking.

Wallpapering a ceiling has such an impact.  This would be darling for a baby boy.

This nursery from the San Francisco Decorators Showcase almost broke the internet.  The lattice, the matching wallpaper and curtains, and the brass and lucite crib are just pure perfection.

The symmetry of this feminine nursery is so elegant and calming.

This room demonstrates pattern play at its best.  The fabric and curtains are not a pairing I would immediately be drawn to, but I definitely works.

I have a major crush on all things Chinoserie and this dreaming nursery is no exception.  I am doing a similar wallpaper with a bit more color in my daughter’s bedroom.

There are no words to describe this nursery.  The curtains, the wallpaper, the crib, the art, oh my!

What was your  favorite part of designing or decorating a nursery?  Was it hard to convert it to a big girl or big boy room?  I am hoping to add an e-design feature to the blog soon.  If so, I would love to see some nursery inquiries.

Until  next time.

xo,

 

 

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July 14, 2018

My Weekend Project

Hi friends!  It has been a while since I have done a hard core DIY project.  This weekend, I am working on re-caning a chair.  A ways back a friend of mine gifted me this lovely faux bamboo barrel chair for free.  Only problem was it had a huge rip in the middle of the seat.  Here it is below with the hole strategically covered by a throw.

 

Here is the chair in its present glory.

I called around everywhere trying to find someone who could fix it for me with no luck.  So, I found this site on Etsy that sells re-caning kits.  According to the instructions, the hardest part is removing the old seat.  Apparently, it takes quite a bit of elbow grease to remove the old binding and glue from the seat.  I may have to enlist the hubs.  I am sure he will be thrilled.

At the end of the day, I hope to paint them and have them looking like some of the gorgeous chairs below.  I may eventually opt to add a cushion.

So, if all goes well, I will have a before and after to share with you soon.  I miss doing these kind of projects, but they are just so time consuming.  These days all of our weekends are filled with soccer and swimming.

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

xoxo,

 

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Filed Under: Decorating, DIY, Our Home, Uncategorized // Tagged With: ,
June 15, 2018

2018 Summer Home Tour

Hi everyone!  If you are joining us from Life Love Larson- Welcome!  Wasn’t Andrea’s tour so vibrant?  Her love of plants definitely came through.  A huge thank you to Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for putting this blog hop on.  It’s so full of seasonal decorating ideas each time.

If you are new here, I’m Jennifer – a Human Resources consultant by day and a design enthusiast and blogger in the wee hours of the night!  Our family recently purchased our dream home that we rented for 3 years, so are so excited to fix it up and make it our own one room at a time. Bye bye beige walls and hello color!

I had big plans for this home tour, much of which did not come to fruition.  We went on vacation the first week of June, only to return with a bout of strep throat for my kids.  The rooms I am sharing here today are honestly the only ones that do not have suitcases and piles of laundry in them.  I am sure some of you can relate!

So, come on in and check out my less than perfect summer home tour.

First up is our entry way. I recently purchased these statement making candles in a vibrant pink.    They are molded out of branches.

In the living room, pillows in blue hues and tons of flowers say summer to me.  Add in some faux coral and poof we feel like we are at the beach.

Up next is our breakfast room.  I often get asked about the bold wallpaper.  It is called Denim Blue Tinted from Walls Republic.  I love it.

These summery butterfly plates were a Homegoods find a few years back.

Nothing says summer like pink to me.  We painted our master bedroom a very pale pink called Pink Ground from Farrow and Ball and I adore it.  Some grocery store orchids add a tropical vibe when combined with the pink.

Finally, is our dining room.  Anyone who has known me for a long time knows my love of collecting seashells.  I wanted this table setting to evoke a relaxed coastal vibe.

As you exit our home, Merle as we call him will greet you.  This planter is the only Spring/Summer gardening I have done all year!

Well that’s a wrap.  Off to go finish unpacking those suitcases.  Next up is Karianne at Thistlewood Farms.  You must go see her tour and read her story.  It is so inspiring! Karianne is a legend in the world of Farmhouse style. The entire week’s lineup is here:

Monday – June 11

A Stroll Thru Life – Marty

Pink Peppermint Design – Tammy

Setting For Four – Heather

Nesting With Grace – Brooke

Cuckoo4Design  – Julia

Southern Hospitality  – Rhoda

Tuesday – June 12

ZDesign At Home  – Bree

 Inspiration For Moms  – Laura

Clean & Scentsible – Jenn

Simple Stylings  – Summer

Life On Virginia Street – Sarah

Remodelando La Casa – Cristina

Wednesday – June 13

Our Southern Home – Christy

House By Hoff – April

Our Fifth House – Carmel

Dimples & Tangles – Jennifer

Decor To Adore  – Laura

Follow The Yellow Brick Home – Amber

Thursday – June 14

Haneens Haven – Haneen

Monica Wants It – Monica

Duke Manor Farm – Laura

My Sweet Savannah – Melaine

11 Magnolia Lane – Christy

Life Love Larson – Andrea

Fri –June 15

Decorating Delirium  – Jennifer

Thistlewood Farm – Karianne

Thrifty & Chic  – Alicia

Hymns & Verses – Doreen

Starfish Cottage – Kristy

Far Above Rubies – Anita

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Filed Under: Decorating, Home Tours, Our Home, Seasonal Decorating, Uncategorized //
May 15, 2018

2018 Spring One Room Challenge

Hi everyone!  I hope everyone had a fantastic Mother’s Day.  We had a relaxing day and the my kids tried to fight just a little less.  Has anyone been following Calling It Home’s One Room Challenge?  The reveals were last week.  Here are my favorite rooms from the designers.

I am loving the muted tones in this bohemian French bedroom by Jenna Sue Design Co.

One of my absolute favs is this little boy room by Marcus Design  The navy trim and grass cloth walls are perfection!

I love this multi-functional space by Bisou Design.  Finish your work and then have a relaxing cocktail- yes please!

 

The timeless design of this bedroom by Rambling Renovators hits the mark spot on.

This last room was by a guest participant Cait Waite Designs is so glamorous.

If you followed along, what was your favorite space from the challenge?  Do share in the comments!

Until next time . . .

xo,

 

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Filed Under: Around the Net, Blogging, Decorating, Designers, Interior Design, Uncategorized // Tagged With:
April 16, 2018

A New Line at Target: Opalhouse

Target has done it again! They have a new line of furniture and home decor that is very reminiscent of products from Anthropologie and Serena and Lily at a much more affordable price point.

They have furniture, decor, bedding, bath, kitchen and outdoor products.

Here are my favorite furniture pieces.  The bar cart and umbrella are my absolute favorites!

Rattan Console / Love Seat / Bar Cart / Umbrella / Chair / Lamp

Here are my favorite home decor finds.  I purchased the rattan tray and the peacock figurine.

Mirror / Pillow / Chandelier / Basket / Peacock Decor/ Tray

There are so many other good options in the line.  You must go check it out.  Target has been killing it lately.  I shopped the recent Hunter line for Target over the weekend and got some great finds.  Although I heard it sold out really fast!

Has anyone else checked out Opalhouse?  If so, tell us your favorite pieces in the comments.

Have a great day!

xo

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Filed Under: Decor Steals, Decorating, Home Decor, New Collections, Online Sources, Uncategorized // Tagged With:
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